1.2relating to natural resources; modifying game and fish laws; modifying use of
1.3vehicles for hunting; modifying oversight committee provisions; modifying
1.4provisions for wildlife management areas; modifying license provisions and
1.5fees; modifying trespass provisions; modifying provisions for taking wild
1.6animals; authorizing nonlethal hazing of Canada geese; updating and eliminating
1.7certain obsolete language; modifying prior appropriations; requiring rulemaking;
1.8providing criminal penalties;amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 84.154,
1.9subdivisions 1, 2, 3; 84.777, subdivision 2; 84.87, by adding a subdivision;
1.1084.944, subdivision 2; 84A.10; 84A.50; 97A.025; 97A.055, subdivision 4b;
1.1197A.131; 97A.137, subdivision 3, by adding a subdivision; 97A.311, subdivision
1.125, by adding a subdivision; 97A.434, subdivision 1; 97A.473, subdivisions 2a, 2b,
1.135, 5a; 97A.502; 97B.001, subdivisions 3, 4, 7; 97B.031, subdivision 5; 97B.081,
1.14subdivision 3; 97B.086; 97B.095; 97B.516; 97B.605; 97B.655, subdivision 1;
1.1597B.667, subdivisions 3, 4; 97B.731, subdivision 1; 97C.821; Minnesota Statutes
1.162013 Supplement, sections 97A.475, subdivisions 2, 3; 97A.485, subdivision 6;
1.17Laws 2008, chapter 363, article 5, section 4, subdivision 7, as amended; proposing
1.18coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 97B; 97C; repealing
1.19Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 84.154, subdivision 5; 84A.04; 84A.08;
1.2084A.11; 97A.081; 97A.083; 97A.445, subdivision 3; 97A.4742, subdivision 3;
1.2197B.061; 97B.611; 97B.615; 97B.621, subdivisions 1, 4; 97B.625; 97B.631;
1.2297B.635; 97B.711; 97B.715, subdivision 2; 97B.803; 97B.911; 97B.915;
1.2397B.921; 97B.925; 97C.011; 97C.827; Minnesota Rules, part 6100.5100.
1.24BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.25    Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 84.154, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
1.26    Subdivision 1. Conservation project. The commissioner is hereby authorized, with
1.27the approval of the Executive Council, and on such terms as may be deemed advantageous
1.28to the state, to sell and convey to the United States the fee title, free from any mineral
1.29reservation, of lands acquired by the state for the Lac qui Parle River water control project
1.30upon which dams and appurtenant structures have been or may be constructed and such
1.31rights-of-way as may be required by the United States to provide access thereto for the
1.32purposes of construction, maintenance and operation, and to grant, sell and convey either
2.1such fee title to, or flowage rights over, all lands acquired for the project on and above Lac
2.2qui Parle Lake which lie below the 935.7 foot elevation on project datum, and to grant,
2.3sell and convey flowage rights only over all lands so acquired on or above Marsh Lake
2.4which lie below the 939.5 foot elevation on project datum and over all of such lands
2.5on and above either of these lakes which lie above such elevations, and to lease to any
2.6appropriate agency of the United States for conservation purposes, subject to such flowage
2.7rights, any of such lands the ownership of which is retained by the state, or to enter into a
2.8cooperative agreement with any such agency for the development and management of
2.9any wild life or other conservation activity thereon; provided, that no such conveyance or
2.10agreement shall waive any claim of the state for reimbursement from the United States
2.11under the Flood Control Act of June 28, 1938, and any amendments thereof. Each such
2.12lease for conservation purposes and each such cooperative agreement for the development
2.13and management of wild life or other conservation activity on such lands shall contain
2.14specific conditions reserving to the public during all open seasons for hunting wild
2.15waterfowl at least 40 percent of the area of these lands suitable for hunting waterfowl as
2.16public shooting grounds.

2.17    Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 84.154, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
2.18    Subd. 2. Commissioner may complete Lac qui Parle and Big Stone Lake
2.19projects. Inasmuch as the cessation of the work relief program of the federal government
2.20and the entry of the United States into the present war prevented completion of certain
2.21contemplated features of the Lac qui Parle and Big Stone Lake water control projects
2.22heretofore undertaken by the Executive Council, in cooperation with federal agencies,
2.23and it is desirable that such projects be completed in order to secure effective control and
2.24utilization of the waters affected for the purposes of prevention and control of floods,
2.25water conservation, improvement of conditions for game and fish, and other authorized
2.26public uses, The commissioner of natural resources is authorized to construct all works
2.27and improvements pertaining or incidental to said projects which the commissioner deems
2.28necessary for such purposes, and to maintain and operate the same so far as not transferred
2.29to the United States pursuant to law.

2.30    Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 84.154, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
2.31    Subd. 3. Powers of commissioner. The commissioner of natural resources may
2.32use for any project herein authorized any land of the state under the commissioner's
2.33jurisdiction or control so far as is not inconsistent with the laws governing the same,
2.34may acquire by purchase, gift, or condemnation any additional lands or interests in lands
3.1required for such projects, including lands or interests in adjacent states if authorized by
3.2the laws thereof, may accept gifts or grants of money or property from the United States or
3.3any other source for such projects, may use and apply any money or property so received
3.4in accordance with the terms of the gift or grant so far as is not inconsistent with the
3.5provisions of this section or other laws, may act in behalf of the state as sponsor for any
3.6such project undertaken or authorized by the United States, may make any sponsor's
3.7contributions required for any such project out of money appropriated by Laws 1943,
3.8chapter 476, or otherwise made available therefor, and may cooperate with the United
3.9States or any adjacent state or any authorized agency of either in constructing, maintaining
3.10and operating any such project upon such terms and conditions as the commissioner may
3.11deem proper not inconsistent with the laws of this state.

3.12    Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 84.777, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
3.13    Subd. 2. Off-highway vehicle and snowmobile seasonal restrictions. (a)
3.14Except for designated forest roads, a person must not operate an off-highway vehicle or
3.15snowmobile on state forest lands during the firearms deer hunting season in areas of the
3.16state where deer may be taken by rifle. This paragraph does not apply to a person in
3.17possession of a valid deer hunting license operating an off-highway vehicle or snowmobile
3.18before or after legal shooting hours or from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
3.19    (b) The commissioner may designate and post winter trails on state forest lands
3.20for use by off-highway vehicles.
3.21    (c) For the purposes of this subdivision, "state forest lands" means forest lands under
3.22the authority of the commissioner as defined in section 89.001, subdivision 13, and lands
3.23managed by the commissioner under section 282.011.

3.24    Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 84.87, is amended by adding a subdivision to
3.25read:
3.26    Subd. 5. Snowmobile operation during the firearms deer season. Snowmobile
3.27operation during the firearms deer hunting season is restricted as provided in section
3.2884.777, subdivision 2, and rules adopted by the commissioner.

3.29    Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 84.944, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
3.30    Subd. 2. Designation of acquired sites. The critical natural habitat acquired in fee
3.31title by the commissioner under this section shall be designated by the commissioner as:
3.32(1) an outdoor recreation unit pursuant to section 86A.07, subdivision 3, or (2) as provided
3.33in sections 89.018, subdivision 2, paragraph (a), 97A.101, 97A.125, and 97C.001, and
4.197C.011. The commissioner may so designate any critical natural habitat acquired in
4.2less than fee title.

4.3    Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 84A.10, is amended to read:
4.484A.10 EMINENT DOMAIN.
4.5The department has the power of eminent domain in chapter 117. The department
4.6may acquire, by eminent domain or by purchase, lands or interests in lands in the preserve
4.7that the department considers necessary for state ownership, use, or development for the
4.8purposes of sections 84A.01 to 84A.11 84A.101. No money shall be used to acquire the
4.9lands or interests until the department determines that the money will not be required to
4.10meet the requisitions of the counties authorized under section 84A.04, or for payment of
4.11certificates of indebtedness and their interest.

4.12    Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 84A.50, is amended to read:
4.1384A.50 CERTAIN CERTIFICATES ACCEPTED AND VALIDATED.
4.14Certificates relating to bonds issued to finance or refinance public drainage ditches,
4.15the principal and interest of the bonds, the amount of money collected from drainage
4.16assessments and credited to ditches, and the amount of the deficit in the ditch fund made
4.17by a county auditor under section 84A.04, 84A.23, or 84A.33 to the commissioner of
4.18management and budget on which payment has been made by the state are accepted as
4.19correct and are validated.

4.20    Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 97A.025, is amended to read:
4.2197A.025 OWNERSHIP OF WILD ANIMALS.
4.22The ownership of wild animals of the state is in the state, in its sovereign capacity
4.23for the benefit of all the people of the state. A person may not acquire a property right in
4.24wild animals, or destroy them, unless authorized under the game and fish laws, sections
4.2584.091 to 84.15, or sections 17.47 to 17.498.

4.26    Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 97A.055, subdivision 4b, is amended to read:
4.27    Subd. 4b. Citizen oversight committees. (a) The commissioner shall appoint
4.28committees of affected persons to review the reports prepared under subdivision 4; review
4.29the proposed work plans and budgets for the coming year; propose changes in policies,
4.30activities, and revenue enhancements or reductions; review other relevant information;
5.1and make recommendations to the legislature and the commissioner for improvements in
5.2the management and use of money in the game and fish fund.
5.3    (b) The commissioner shall appoint the following committees, each comprised
5.4of at least ten affected persons:
5.5    (1) a Fisheries Oversight Committee to review fisheries funding and expenditures,
5.6including activities related to trout and salmon stamps and walleye stamps; and
5.7    (2) a Wildlife Oversight Committee to review wildlife funding and expenditures,
5.8including activities related to migratory waterfowl, pheasant, and wild turkey management
5.9and deer and big game management.
5.10    (c) The chairs of the Fisheries Oversight Committee and the Wildlife Oversight
5.11Committee, and four additional members from each committee, shall form a Budgetary
5.12Oversight Committee to coordinate the integration of the fisheries and wildlife oversight
5.13committee reports into an annual report to the legislature; recommend changes on a broad
5.14level in policies, activities, and revenue enhancements or reductions; and provide a forum
5.15to address issues that transcend the fisheries and wildlife oversight committees.
5.16    (d) The Budgetary Oversight Committee shall develop recommendations for a
5.17biennial budget plan and report for expenditures on game and fish activities. By August 15
5.18of each even-numbered year, the committee shall submit the budget plan recommendations
5.19to the commissioner and to the senate and house of representatives committees with
5.20jurisdiction over natural resources finance.
5.21    (e) The chairs of the Fisheries Oversight Committee and the Wildlife Oversight
5.22Committee shall be chosen by their respective committees. The chair of the Budgetary
5.23Oversight Committee shall be appointed by the commissioner and may not be the chair of
5.24either of the other oversight committees.
5.25    (f) The Budgetary Oversight Committee may make recommendations to the
5.26commissioner and to the senate and house of representatives committees with jurisdiction
5.27over natural resources finance for outcome goals from expenditures.
5.28    (g) Notwithstanding section 15.059, subdivision 5, or other law to the contrary, The
5.29committees authorized under this subdivision are not advisory councils or committees
5.30governed by section 15.059 and are not subject to section 15.059. Committee members
5.31appointed by the commissioner may request reimbursement for mileage expenses in
5.32the same manner and amount as authorized by the commissioner's plan adopted under
5.33section 43A.18, subdivision 2. Committee members must not receive daily compensation
5.34for oversight activities. The Fisheries Oversight Committee, the Wildlife Oversight
5.35Committee, and the Budgetary Oversight Committee do not expire until June 30, 2015.

6.1    Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 97A.131, is amended to read:
6.297A.131 GAME FARMS AND HATCHERIES.
6.3The commissioner may acquire property by gift, lease, purchase, or condemnation
6.4and may construct, maintain, operate, and alter facilities for game farms and hatcheries.

6.5    Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 97A.137, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
6.6    Subd. 3. Use of motorized vehicles by disabled hunters. The commissioner may
6.7issue a special permit, without a fee, authorizing a hunter with a permanent physical
6.8disability to use a snowmobile or, highway-licensed vehicle, all-terrain vehicle, or motor
6.9boat in wildlife management areas. To qualify for a permit under this subdivision, the
6.10disabled person must possess:
6.11(1) the required hunting licenses; and
6.12(2) a permit to shoot from a stationary vehicle under section 97B.055, subdivision 3.

6.13    Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 97A.137, is amended by adding a
6.14subdivision to read:
6.15    Subd. 6. Crossing state lands. (a) The commissioner may grant a permit to cross
6.16state lands within wildlife management areas for temporary right-of-way access to federal,
6.17county-managed, or privately owned lands for resource management purposes. A permit
6.18for crossing state lands within wildlife management areas is revocable at any time subject
6.19to conditions identified in the permit.
6.20(b) The commissioner may grant a permit to a private landowner or leaseholder to
6.21cross state lands within wildlife management areas by motorized vehicle for temporary
6.22right-of-way access to a permit applicant's land, when it is the only reasonable access and
6.23is consistent with the maintenance and management of wildlife lands.

6.24    Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 97A.311, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
6.25    Subd. 5. Refunds. (a) The commissioner may issue a refund on a license, not
6.26including any issuing fees paid under section 97A.485, subdivision 6, if the request is
6.27received within 90 days of the original license purchase and:
6.28    (1) the licensee dies before the opening of the licensed season. The original license
6.29and a copy of the death certificate must be provided to the commissioner;
6.30    (2) the licensee is unable to participate in the licensed activity because the licensee is
6.31called to active military duty or military leave is canceled during the entire open season of
6.32the licensed activity. The original license and a copy of the military orders or notice of
6.33cancellation of leave must be provided to the commissioner;
7.1    (3) the licensee purchased two licenses for the same license season in error; or
7.2(4) the licensee was not legally required to purchase the license to participate in
7.3the activity; or
7.4(5) evidence is provided to the commissioner that demonstrates the license was
7.5issued incorrectly by the department or license agent.
7.6    (b) This subdivision does not apply to lifetime licenses.

7.7    Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 97A.311, is amended by adding a
7.8subdivision to read:
7.9    Subd. 6. License corrections. The commissioner may correct a license or license
7.10type and refund the difference or charge the difference of the corrected license fee if:
7.11(1) the licensee provides evidence that the license was issued incorrectly by the
7.12department or license agent;
7.13(2) the request is made within 30 days of the original license purchase;
7.14(3) the season or license activities for the original license have not yet started at the
7.15time of the request; and
7.16(4) the licensee is entitled to the corrected license.

7.17    Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 97A.434, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
7.18    Subdivision 1. Number of licenses to be issued. If the commissioner establishes
7.19an open season for prairie chickens under section 97B.711, the commissioner shall also
7.20determine, by rule, the number of licenses to be issued.

7.21    Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 97A.473, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:
7.22    Subd. 2a. Lifetime spearing license; fee. (a) A resident lifetime spearing license
7.23authorizes a person to take fish by spearing in the state. The license authorizes those
7.24activities authorized by the annual resident spearing license.
7.25    (b) The fees for a resident lifetime spearing license are:
7.26    (1) age 3 and under, $258 $77;
7.27    (2) age 4 to age 15, $320 $106;
7.28    (3) age 16 to age 50, $372 $100; and
7.29    (4) age 51 and over, $173 $52.

7.30    Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 97A.473, subdivision 2b, is amended to read:
7.31    Subd. 2b. Lifetime angling and spearing license; fee. (a) A resident lifetime
7.32angling and spearing license authorizes a person to take fish by angling or spearing in the
8.1state. The license authorizes those activities authorized by the annual resident angling
8.2and spearing licenses.
8.3    (b) The fees for a resident lifetime angling and spearing license are:
8.4    (1) age 3 and under, $380;
8.5    (2) age 4 to age 15, $509;
8.6    (3) age 16 to age 50, $617 $596; and
8.7    (4) age 51 and over, $386.

8.8    Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 97A.473, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
8.9    Subd. 5. Lifetime sporting license; fee. (a) A resident lifetime sporting license
8.10authorizes a person to take fish by angling and hunt and trap small game, other than
8.11wolves, in the state. The license authorizes those activities authorized by the annual
8.12resident angling and resident small game hunting licenses and the resident trapping license
8.13for fur-bearing animals other than wolves. The license does not include a trout and salmon
8.14stamp validation, a turkey stamp validation, a walleye stamp validation, or any other
8.15hunting stamps required by law.
8.16    (b) The fees for a resident lifetime sporting license are:
8.17    (1) age 3 and under, $528 $485;
8.18    (2) age 4 to age 15, $728 $659;
8.19    (3) age 16 to age 50, $861; and
8.20    (4) age 51 and over, $602 $560.

8.21    Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 97A.473, subdivision 5a, is amended to read:
8.22    Subd. 5a. Lifetime sporting with spearing option license; fee. (a) A resident
8.23lifetime sporting with spearing option license authorizes a person to take fish by angling
8.24or spearing and hunt and trap small game, other than wolves, in the state. The license
8.25authorizes those activities authorized by the annual resident angling, spearing, and resident
8.26small game hunting licenses and the resident trapping license for fur-bearing animals other
8.27than wolves. The license does not include a trout and salmon stamp validation, a turkey
8.28stamp validation, a walleye stamp validation, or any other hunting stamps required by law.
8.29(b) The fees for a resident lifetime sporting with spearing option license are:
8.30(1) age 3 and under, $615 $562;
8.31(2) age 4 to age 15, $800 $765;
8.32(3) age 16 to age 50, $985 $961; and
8.33(4) age 51 and over, $586 $612.

9.1    Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2013 Supplement, section 97A.475, subdivision 2, is
9.2amended to read:
9.3    Subd. 2. Resident hunting. Fees for the following licenses, to be issued to residents
9.4only, are:
9.5    (1) for persons age 18 or over and under age 65 to take small game, $15.50;
9.6    (2) for persons age 65 or over, $7 to take small game;
9.7    (3) for persons age 18 or over to take turkey, $26;
9.8    (4) for persons age 13 or over and under age 18 to take turkey, $5;
9.9    (5) for persons age 18 or over to take deer with firearms during the regular firearms
9.10season, $30;
9.11    (6) for persons age 18 or over to take deer by archery, $30;
9.12    (7) for persons age 18 or over to take deer by muzzleloader during the muzzleloader
9.13season, $30;
9.14    (8) to take moose, for a party of not more than six persons, $356;
9.15    (9) for persons age 18 or over to take bear, $44;
9.16    (10) to take elk, for a party of not more than two persons, $287;
9.17    (11) to take Canada geese during a special season, $4;
9.18    (12) to take prairie chickens, $23;
9.19    (13) for persons age 13 or over and under age 18 to take deer with firearms during
9.20the regular firearms season, $5;
9.21    (14) for persons age 13 or over and under age 18 to take deer by archery, $5;
9.22    (15) for persons age 13 or over and under age 18 to take deer by muzzleloader
9.23during the muzzleloader season, $5;
9.24(16) for persons age 10, 11, or 12 to take bear, no fee;
9.25(17) for persons age 13 or over and under age 18 to take bear, $5;
9.26(16) (18) for persons age 18 or over to take small game for a consecutive 72-hour
9.27period selected by the licensee, $19, of which an amount equal to: one-half of the fee for
9.28the migratory waterfowl stamp under subdivision 5, clause (1), shall be deposited in the
9.29waterfowl habitat improvement account under section 97A.075, subdivision 2; one-half
9.30of the fee for the pheasant stamp under subdivision 5, clause (2), shall be deposited in
9.31the pheasant habitat improvement account under section 97A.075, subdivision 4; and
9.32one-half of the small game surcharge under subdivision 4, shall be deposited in the
9.33wildlife acquisition account;
9.34(17) (19) for persons age 16 or over and under age 18 to take small game, $5;
9.35(18) (20) to take wolf, $30;
9.36(19) (21) for persons age 12 and under to take turkey, no fee;
10.1(20) (22) for persons age 10, 11, or 12 to take deer by firearm, no fee;
10.2(21) (23) for persons age 10, 11, or 12 to take deer by archery, no fee; and
10.3(22) (24) for persons age 10, 11, or 12 to take deer by muzzleloader during the
10.4muzzleloader season, no fee.

10.5    Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2013 Supplement, section 97A.475, subdivision 3, is
10.6amended to read:
10.7    Subd. 3. Nonresident hunting. (a) Fees for the following licenses, to be issued
10.8to nonresidents, are:
10.9    (1) for persons age 18 or over to take small game, $90.50;
10.10    (2) for persons age 18 or over to take deer with firearms during the regular firearms
10.11season, $160;
10.12    (3) for persons age 18 or over to take deer by archery, $160;
10.13    (4) for persons age 18 or over to take deer by muzzleloader during the muzzleloader
10.14season, $160;
10.15    (5) for persons age 18 or over to take bear, $225;
10.16    (6) for persons age 18 or over to take turkey, $91;
10.17    (7) for persons age 13 or over and under age 18 to take turkey, $5;
10.18    (8) to take raccoon or bobcat, $178;
10.19    (9) to take Canada geese during a special season, $4;
10.20    (10) for persons age 13 or over and under age 18 to take deer with firearms during
10.21the regular firearms season in any open season option or time period, $5;
10.22    (11) for persons age 13 or over and under age 18 to take deer by archery, $5;
10.23    (12) for persons age 13 or over and under age 18 to take deer during the muzzleloader
10.24season, $5;
10.25(13) for persons age 13 or over and under 18 to take bear, $5;
10.26(14) for persons age 18 or over to take small game for a consecutive 72-hour period
10.27selected by the licensee, $75, of which an amount equal to: one-half of the fee for the
10.28migratory waterfowl stamp under subdivision 5, clause (1), shall be deposited in the
10.29waterfowl habitat improvement account under section 97A.075, subdivision 2; one-half
10.30of the fee for the pheasant stamp under subdivision 5, clause (2), shall be deposited in
10.31the pheasant habitat improvement account under section 97A.075, subdivision 4; and
10.32one-half of the small game surcharge under subdivision 4, shall be deposited into the
10.33wildlife acquisition account;
10.34(14) (15) for persons age 16 or 17 to take small game, $5;
10.35(15) (16) to take wolf, $250;
11.1(16) (17) for persons age 12 and under to take turkey, no fee;
11.2(17) (18) for persons age ten, 11, or 12 to take deer by firearm, no fee;
11.3(18) (19) for persons age ten, 11, or 12 to take deer by archery, no fee; and
11.4(19) (20) for persons age ten, 11, or 12 to take deer by muzzleloader during the
11.5muzzleloader season, no fee; and
11.6(21) for person age 10, 11, or 12 to take bear, no fee.
11.7    (b) A $5 surcharge shall be added to nonresident hunting licenses issued under
11.8paragraph (a), clauses (1) to (6) and (8). An additional commission may not be assessed
11.9on this surcharge.

11.10    Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2013 Supplement, section 97A.485, subdivision 6, is
11.11amended to read:
11.12    Subd. 6. Licenses to be sold and issuing fees. (a) Persons authorized to sell
11.13licenses under this section must issue the following licenses for the license fee and the
11.14following issuing fees:
11.15    (1) to take deer or bear with firearms and by archery, the issuing fee is $1;
11.16    (2) Minnesota sporting, the issuing fee is $1;
11.17    (3) to take small game, to take fish by angling or by spearing, and to trap fur-bearing
11.18animals, the issuing fee is $1;
11.19(4) to apply for a limited hunt drawing, the issuing fee is $1 unless the application
11.20requires a license purchase at the time of application and the license purchase requires
11.21an application fee;
11.22(5) for a prairie chicken license, the issuing fee is $1;
11.23(6) for a turkey license, the issuing fee is $1;
11.24(7) for an elk license, the issuing fee is $1;
11.25(8) for a moose license, the issuing fee is $1;
11.26(9) for a wolf license, the issuing fee is $1;
11.27    (10) for a stamp validation that is not issued simultaneously with a license, an
11.28issuing fee of 50 cents may be charged at the discretion of the authorized seller;
11.29    (11) for stamp validations issued simultaneously with a license, there is no fee;
11.30    (12) for licenses, seals, tags, or coupons issued without a fee under section 97A.441,
11.31subdivisions 1 to 6a, or 97A.465, the issuing there is no fee is $1;
11.32    (13) for lifetime licenses, there is no fee; and
11.33    (14) for all other licenses, permits, renewals, or applications or any other transaction
11.34through the electronic licensing system under this chapter or any other chapter when
12.1an issuing fee is not specified, an issuing fee of $1 may be charged at the discretion of
12.2the authorized seller.
12.3    (b) Only one issuing fee may be collected when selling more than one stamp in the
12.4same transaction after the end of the season for which the stamp was issued.
12.5    (c) The agent shall keep the issuing fee as a commission for selling the licenses.
12.6    (d) The commissioner shall collect the issuing fee on licenses sold by the
12.7commissioner.
12.8    (e) A license, except stamps, must state the amount of the issuing fee and that the
12.9issuing fee is kept by the seller as a commission for selling the licenses.
12.10    (f) For duplicate licenses, including licenses issued without a fee, the issuing fees are:
12.11    (1) for licenses to take big game, 75 cents; and
12.12    (2) for other licenses, 50 cents.
12.13    (g) The commissioner may issue one-day angling licenses in books of ten licenses
12.14each to fishing guides operating charter boats upon receipt of payment of all license
12.15fees, excluding the issuing fee required under this section. Copies of sold and unsold
12.16licenses shall be returned to the commissioner. The commissioner shall refund the charter
12.17boat captain for the license fees of all unsold licenses. Copies of sold licenses shall be
12.18maintained by the commissioner for one year.

12.19    Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 97A.502, is amended to read:
12.2097A.502 DEER KILLED BY MOTOR VEHICLES.
12.21(a) Deer killed by a motor vehicle on a public road must be removed by the road
12.22authority, as defined by section 160.02, subdivision 25, unless the driver of the motor
12.23vehicle is allowed to possess the deer under paragraph (b). The commissioner of natural
12.24resources must provide to all road authorities standard forms for statistical purposes and
12.25the tracking of wild animals.
12.26(b) The driver of a motor vehicle that has collided with and killed a deer on a public
12.27road has priority for a possession permit for the entire deer if the facts indicate that the
12.28deer was not taken illegally.

12.29    Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 97B.001, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
12.30    Subd. 3. Remaining on land prohibited after notice. Except as provided in
12.31subdivision 6, a person may not remain on or return within one year to any land for
12.32outdoor recreation purposes after being orally told personally notified not to do so by
12.33the owner, occupant, or lessee.

13.1    Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 97B.001, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
13.2    Subd. 4. Entering posted land prohibited; signs. (a) Except as provided in
13.3subdivision 6, a person may not:
13.4(1) enter, for outdoor recreation purposes, any land that is posted under this
13.5subdivision without first obtaining permission of the owner, occupant, or lessee.; or
13.6(2) knowingly enter, for outdoor recreation purposes, any land that is posted under
13.7this subdivision without first obtaining permission of the owner, occupant, or lessee. A
13.8person who violates this clause is subject to the penalty provided in section 97A.315,
13.9subdivision 1, paragraph (b).
13.10(b) The owner, occupant, or lessee of private land, or an authorized manager of public
13.11land may prohibit outdoor recreation on the land by posting signs once each year that:
13.12(1) state "no trespassing" or similar terms;
13.13(2) display letters at least two inches high;
13.14(3) either:
13.15(i) are signed by the owner, occupant, lessee, or authorized manager; or
13.16(ii) include the legible name and telephone number of the owner, occupant, lessee,
13.17or authorized manager; and
13.18(4) either:
13.19(i) are at intervals of 1,000 feet or less along the boundary of the area, or in a wooded
13.20area where boundary lines are not clear, at intervals of 500 feet or less; or
13.21(ii) mark the primary corners of each parcel of land and access roads and trails at
13.22the point of entrance to each parcel of land except that corners only accessible through
13.23agricultural land need not be posted.
13.24(c) A person may not erect a sign that prohibits outdoor recreation or trespassing
13.25where the person does not have a property right, title, or interest to use the land.

13.26    Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 97B.001, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
13.27    Subd. 7. Use of firearms and taking in certain areas. (a) A person may not take a
13.28wild animal with a firearm within 500 feet of a building occupied by a human or livestock
13.29without the written permission of the owner, occupant, or lessee:
13.30(1) on another person's private land, if the land is not a licensed shooting preserve; or
13.31(2) on a public road right-of-way.
13.32(b) No person may shoot discharge a firearm within 500 feet of a stockade or corral
13.33containing confining livestock for the purpose of normal commercial livestock holding
13.34and sorting operations without the permission of the owner, occupant, or lessee. For the
14.1purposes of this paragraph, a "stockade or corral" means a fenced enclosure for containing
14.2 confining livestock that does not enclose an area greater than one acre.
14.3(c) A person may not take a wild animal on any land where the person is prohibited
14.4from entering by this section.

14.5    Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 97B.031, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
14.6    Subd. 5. Scopes; visually impaired hunters. (a) Notwithstanding any other law
14.7to the contrary, the commissioner may issue a special permit, without a fee, to use a
14.8muzzleloader with a scope to take deer during the muzzleloader season to a person who
14.9obtains the required licenses and who has a visual impairment. The scope may not have
14.10magnification capabilities.
14.11(b) The visual impairment must be to the extent that the applicant is unable
14.12to identify targets and the rifle sights at the same time without a scope. The visual
14.13impairment and specific conditions must be established by medical evidence verified in
14.14writing by (1) a licensed physician or a certified nurse practitioner or certified physician
14.15assistant acting under the direction of a licensed physician; (2) a licensed ophthalmologist;
14.16or (3) a licensed optometrist. The commissioner may request additional information from
14.17the physician if needed to verify the applicant's eligibility for the permit.
14.18(c) A permit issued under this subdivision may be valid for up to five years, based
14.19on the permanence of the visual impairment as determined by the licensed physician,
14.20ophthalmologist, or optometrist.
14.21(d) The permit must be in the immediate possession of the permittee when hunting
14.22under the special permit.
14.23(e) The commissioner may deny, modify, suspend, or revoke a permit issued under
14.24this subdivision for cause, including a violation of the game and fish laws or rules.
14.25(f) A person who knowingly makes a false application or assists another in making
14.26a false application for a permit under this subdivision is guilty of a misdemeanor. A
14.27physician, certified nurse practitioner, certified physician assistant, ophthalmologist, or
14.28optometrist who fraudulently certifies to the commissioner that a person is visually
14.29impaired as described in this subdivision is guilty of a misdemeanor.
14.30(g) A permit is not required under this subdivision to use an electronic range finder
14.31according to section 97B.081, subdivision 3, paragraph (c).

14.32    Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 97B.081, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
14.33    Subd. 3. Exceptions. (a) It is not a violation of this section for a person to:
15.1(1) cast the rays of a spotlight, headlight, or other artificial light to take raccoons
15.2according to section 97B.621, subdivision 3, or tend traps according to section 97B.931;
15.3(2) hunt fox or coyote from January 1 to March 15 while using a handheld artificial
15.4light, provided that the person is:
15.5(i) on foot;
15.6(ii) using a shotgun;
15.7(iii) not within a public road right-of-way;
15.8(iv) using a handheld or electronic calling device; and
15.9(v) not within 200 feet of a motor vehicle; or
15.10(3) cast the rays of a handheld artificial light to retrieve wounded or dead big game
15.11animals, provided that the person is:
15.12(i) on foot; and
15.13(ii) not in possession of a firearm or bow.
15.14(b) It is not a violation of subdivision 2 for a person to cast the rays of a spotlight,
15.15headlight, or other artificial light to:
15.16(1) carry out any agricultural, safety, emergency response, normal vehicle operation,
15.17or occupation-related activities that do not involve taking wild animals; or
15.18(2) carry out outdoor recreation as defined in section 97B.001 that is not related to
15.19spotting, locating, or taking a wild animal.
15.20(c) Except as otherwise provided by the game and fish laws, it is not a violation of
15.21this section for a person to use an electronic range finder device from one-half hour before
15.22sunrise until sunset while lawfully hunting wild animals.

15.23    Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 97B.086, is amended to read:
15.2497B.086 POSSESSION OF NIGHT VISION OR THERMAL IMAGING
15.25EQUIPMENT.
15.26    (a) A person may not possess night vision or thermal imaging equipment while
15.27taking wild animals or while having in possession, either individually or as one of a group
15.28of persons, a firearm, bow, or other implement that could be used to take wild animals.
15.29    (b) This section does not apply to a firearm that is:
15.30    (1) unloaded;
15.31    (2) in a gun case expressly made to contain a firearm that fully encloses the firearm
15.32by being zipped, snapped, buckled, tied, or otherwise fastened without any portion of
15.33the firearm exposed; and
15.34    (3) in the closed trunk of a motor vehicle.
15.35    (c) This section does not apply to a bow that is:
16.1    (1) completely encased or unstrung; and
16.2    (2) in the closed trunk of a motor vehicle.
16.3    (d) If the motor vehicle under paragraph (b) or (c) does not have a trunk, the firearm
16.4or bow must be placed in the rearmost location of the vehicle.
16.5    (e) This section does not apply to night vision or thermal imaging equipment
16.6possessed by peace officers or military personnel while exercising their duties.

16.7    Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 97B.095, is amended to read:
16.897B.095 DISTURBING AND TAKING FROM BURROWS AND DENS.
16.9    Subdivision 1. Disturbing burrows or dens. A person may not disturb the burrow
16.10or den of a wild animal between November 1 and April 1 without a permit.
16.11    Subd. 2. Fox dens. A person may not remove a fox from a den or trap fox within
16.12300 feet of a fox den from April 1 to August 31.
16.13    Subd. 3. Raccoon dens. A person may not take a raccoon in a den or hollow tree.

16.14    Sec. 32. [97B.099] PROHIBITED HUNTING METHODS.
16.15    Subdivision 1. Open fire or smoke. A person may not take a protected wild animal
16.16with the aid of an open fire or smoke.
16.17    Subd. 2. Cutting trees. A person may not take a protected wild animal by cutting
16.18down a tree occupied by a protected wild animal.

16.19    Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 97B.516, is amended to read:
16.2097B.516 ELK MANAGEMENT PLAN.
16.21The commissioner of natural resources must adopt an elk management plan that:
16.22(1) recognizes the value and uniqueness of elk;
16.23(2) provides for integrated management of an elk population in harmony with the
16.24environment; and
16.25(3) affords optimum recreational opportunities; and.
16.26(4) restricts elk to nonagricultural land in the state.

16.27    Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 97B.605, is amended to read:
16.2897B.605 COMMISSIONER MAY RESTRICT TAKING OF CERTAIN
16.29 SMALL GAME ANIMALS.
16.30The commissioner may by rule set open seasons for, prescribe limits and restrictions
16.31on, and designate areas where gray and fox squirrels, cottontail and jack rabbits, snowshoe
17.1hare, raccoon, bobcat, red fox and gray fox, fisher, pine marten, opossum, wolves, and
17.2badger small game as defined in section 97A.015 may be taken and possessed.

17.3    Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 97B.655, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
17.4    Subdivision 1. Owners and occupants may take certain animals. A person may
17.5take mink, squirrel, rabbit, hare, raccoon, bobcat, fox, opossum, muskrat, or beaver on
17.6land owned or occupied by the person where the animal is causing damage. The person
17.7may take the animal without a license and in any manner except by poison, or artificial
17.8lights in the closed season. Raccoons may be taken under this subdivision with artificial
17.9lights during open season. A person that kills mink, raccoon, bobcat, fox, opossum,
17.10muskrat, or beaver under this subdivision must notify a conservation officer or employee
17.11of the Fish and Wildlife Division within 24 hours after the animal is killed.

17.12    Sec. 36. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 97B.667, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
17.13    Subd. 3. Permits and notice; requirements. (a) Before killing or arranging to kill
17.14a beaver under this section, the road authority or local government unit must contact a
17.15conservation officer for a special beaver permit. The conservation officer must issue the
17.16permit for any beaver subject to this section.
17.17(b) A road authority or local government unit that kills or arranges to have killed a
17.18beaver under this section must notify a conservation officer or employee of the Fish and
17.19Wildlife Division within ten days after the animal is killed.

17.20    Sec. 37. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 97B.667, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
17.21    Subd. 4. Local beaver control programs. A road authority or local government
17.22unit may, after consultation with the Fish and Wildlife Division, implement a local beaver
17.23control program designed to reduce the number of incidents of beaver:
17.24(1) interfering with or damaging a public road; or
17.25(2) causing damage, including damage to silvicultural projects and drainage ditches,
17.26on property owned or managed by the local government unit.
17.27The local control program may include the offering of a bounty for the lawful taking
17.28of beaver.

17.29    Sec. 38. [97B.668] CANADA GEESE CAUSING DAMAGE.
17.30Notwithstanding sections 97B.091 and 97B.805, subdivisions 1 and 2, a person or
17.31agent of that person on lands and nonpublic waters owned or operated by the person may
17.32nonlethally scare, haze, chase, or harass Canada geese that are causing property damage
18.1from March 11 to August 31. This section does not apply to public waters as defined
18.2under section 103G.005, subdivision 15, or geese on nests unless a permit is obtained
18.3under section 97A.401.

18.4    Sec. 39. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 97B.731, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
18.5    Subdivision 1. Migratory game birds. (a) Migratory game birds may be taken and
18.6possessed. A person may not take, buy, sell, possess, transport, or ship migratory game
18.7birds in violation of federal law.
18.8(b) The commissioner shall prescribe seasons and, limits, and areas for migratory
18.9birds in accordance with federal law.

18.10    Sec. 40. [97C.502] MINNOWS AND LEECHES; INVASIVE SPECIES
18.11TRAINING REQUIRED.
18.12    Subdivision 1. Minnows; invasive species training required. A minnow dealer,
18.13and each person working under the minnow dealer's license, must annually satisfactorily
18.14complete aquatic invasive species-related training provided by the commissioner before
18.15taking, selling, or transporting minnows within the state.
18.16    Subd. 2. Training certification required. Minnow dealers, and each person
18.17working under the minnow dealer's license, must have a valid invasive species training
18.18certification in possession while taking, selling, or transporting minnows within the state.
18.19A person who only sells minnows for the licensed minnow dealer at a retail location is not
18.20required to have a training certification.
18.21    Subd. 3. Leeches; invasive species training required. A resident under age 18
18.22must annually satisfactorily complete aquatic invasive species-related training provided
18.23by the commissioner before taking, selling, or transporting leeches within the state.
18.24A resident under age 18 must have a valid invasive species training certification in
18.25possession while taking, selling, or transporting leeches within the state.
18.26EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective March 1, 2015.

18.27    Sec. 41. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 97C.821, is amended to read:
18.2897C.821 POSSESSION, SALE, AND TRANSPORTATION OF
18.29COMMERCIAL FISH.
18.30    Subdivision 1. Transporting and holding commercial fish. Subject to the
18.31applicable provisions of the game and fish laws, fish taken under commercial fishing
18.32licenses may be possessed in any quantity, bought, sold, and transported at any time.
19.1Commercial fishing licensees may transport their catch live to holding facilities, if the
19.2licensee has exclusive control of the facilities. Licensees must annually provide the legal
19.3description and verification of exclusive control on forms provided by the commissioner
19.4with the license application. Commercial fishing licensees may harvest fish from their
19.5holding facilities at any time with their licensed gear. The commissioner may prohibit the
19.6transport of live fish taken under a commercial fishing license from waters that contain
19.7nonnative species, are designated as infested waters, or are infected with any certifiable
19.8disease.
19.9    Subd. 2. Invasive species permit certification. (a) A commercial fishing licensee,
19.10and each apprentice working under the licensee's commercial fishing license, must
19.11annually complete invasive species training provided by the commissioner and pass an
19.12examination to qualify to take, sell, or transport commercial fish within the state.
19.13(b) A commercial fishing licensee, and each apprentice working under the licensee's
19.14commercial fishing license, must have a valid invasive species training certification in
19.15possession while taking, selling, or transporting commercial fish within the state.
19.16EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective March 1, 2015.

19.17    Sec. 42. Laws 2008, chapter 363, article 5, section 4, subdivision 7, as amended by
19.18Laws 2009, chapter 37, article 1, section 61, is amended to read:

19.19

Subd. 7.Fish and Wildlife Management

123,000

119,000

19.20	Appropriations by Fund
19.21	General	-0-	(427,000)
19.22	Game and Fish	123,000	546,000

19.23$329,000 in 2009 is a reduction for fish and
19.24wildlife management.
19.25$46,000 in 2009 is a reduction in the
19.26appropriation for the Minnesota Shooting
19.27Sports Education Center.
19.28$52,000 in 2009 is a reduction for licensing.
19.29$123,000 in 2008 and $246,000 in 2009 are
19.30from the game and fish fund to implement
19.31fish virus surveillance, prepare infrastructure
19.32to handle possible outbreaks, and implement
19.33control procedures for highest risk waters
20.1and fish production operations. This is a
20.2onetime appropriation.
20.3Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section
20.4297A.94 , paragraph (e), $300,000 in 2009
20.5is from the second year appropriation in
20.6Laws 2007, chapter 57, article 1, section 4,
20.7subdivision 7, from the heritage enhancement
20.8account in the game and fish fund to study,
20.9 complete predesign, and design a of
20.10 shooting sports facility in the seven-county
20.11metropolitan area facilities. Funding may
20.12also be used to establish basic hunter
20.13education/firearms safety ranges and archery
20.14ranges on public properties. This is available
20.15onetime only and is available until expended.
20.16$300,000 in 2009 is appropriated from the
20.17game and fish fund for only activities that
20.18improve, enhance, or protect fish and wildlife
20.19resources. This is a onetime appropriation.

20.20    Sec. 43. REFUNDS; LIFETIME LICENSES.
20.21On or after the effective date of sections 17 to 20, the commissioner of natural
20.22resources may issue refunds for the difference of the price of lifetime licenses purchased
20.23between March 1, 2013, and the effective date of sections 17 to 20.

20.24    Sec. 44. GRAY PARTRIDGE BAG LIMIT; RULEMAKING.
20.25(a) The commissioner of natural resources shall amend Minnesota Rules, part
20.266234.0500, by adding a new subpart to read: "A person may not take more than five gray
20.27partridge per day or possess more than ten gray partridge at a time."
20.28(b) The commissioner may use the good cause exemption under Minnesota Statutes,
20.29section 14.388, subdivision 1, clause (3), to adopt rules under this section, and Minnesota
20.30Statutes, section 14.386, does not apply except as provided in Minnesota Statutes, section
20.3114.388.

20.32    Sec. 45. RULEMAKING; SNOWMOBILE OPERATION DURING FIREARMS
20.33DEER SEASON.
21.1(a) The commissioner of natural resources shall amend Minnesota Rules, part
21.26232.0300, subpart 7, item C, by deleting "Legal use of snowmobiles during the open deer
21.3season is governed by part 6100.5100."
21.4(b) The commissioner may use the good cause exemption under Minnesota Statutes,
21.5section 14.388, subdivision 1, clause (3), to adopt rules under this section, and Minnesota
21.6Statutes, section 14.386, does not apply except as provided under Minnesota Statutes,
21.7section 14.388.

21.8    Sec. 46. REVISOR'S INSTRUCTION.
21.9(a) The revisor of statutes shall delete the terms "conibear-type" and "'conibear' type"
21.10wherever they appear in Minnesota Statutes and Minnesota Rules and make conforming
21.11grammatical changes.
21.12(b) The revisor of statutes shall delete the range reference "84A.01 to 84A.11" and
21.13insert "84A.01 to 84A.101" wherever it appears in Minnesota Statutes.

21.14    Sec. 47. REPEALER.
21.15Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 84.154, subdivision 5; 84A.04; 84A.08; 84A.11;
21.1697A.081; 97A.083; 97A.445, subdivision 3; 97A.4742, subdivision 3; 97B.061; 97B.611;
21.1797B.615; 97B.621, subdivisions 1 and 4; 97B.625; 97B.631; 97B.635; 97B.711; 97B.715,
21.18subdivision 2; 97B.803; 97B.911; 97B.915; 97B.921; 97B.925; 97C.011; and 97C.827,
21.19 and Minnesota Rules, part 6100.5100, are repealed.